Riding in the Black Hills

[bison1040]

Just got back from our annual ride in the Black Hills - 21st summer in a row - and had a great time. Put on about 400 miles in about 4 1/2 days of riding and really couldn't have asked for better weather during this time - temp was in the 60s with mostly sunny skies with a few rain showers here and there and even a few hail storms (ouch!). Looking at possibly going out again over Labor Day if things work out.

I know its been discussed in other places, but I just wanted to start a new thread to discuss the changes that I noticed and dealt with to hopefully clarify a few things regarding where you can ride. We have always stayed at Trailshead Lodge (20 miles W of Lead/Deadwood) so that is where I am most familiar with the trail system. I know there are a few others on here who have more experience if you are looking to ride in the Nemo/Piedmont area, but this discussion is relevant to the trail system as a whole. After talking to a Forest Service employee it was my understanding that all trails that started with three (3) numbers ie 123 or had a period after the first three ie 123.1 were able to be ridden on by any machine that was road legal (licensed, horn, mirror) and only the trails which were four (4) consecutive numbers ie 1234 needed the new motorized trail permit. These numbers are taken per the motor vehicle use map available online. In the Trailshead area, most of the trails are the three numbered trails where most of the four numbered trails are further south or east. We overall were not really effected except straight North of Trailshead in the Little Missouri/Beaver Creek areas that have been completely shut down for the time being.

After talking to a few different people from the area, nobody is sure where the enforcement is really coming from as there are not enough USFS employees covering the area. Also it is widely expected that the system will undergo a revamp in the next few years in an attempt to link the trails together together to have a better system. Currently many of the trails are using old logging trails that are 'tails' of one main trail, but do not link to any other trails forcing a lot of the riding to be gravel roads if you want to get to any particular destination. Also a lot of the trails are not well marked as the implementation of the system is still in process and it is easy to get turned around.

I wouldn't discourage anyone from riding out there, I would only say make sure you have the maps available and tread lightly. What other experiences have people had?

[icefishur96]

Our group just got back today. We did about 110 miles in 2 days in the Nemo/Piedmont area. I was skeptical before I got there as I had heard about the "New" system.....none the less we had a great time. I ride a 2011 RZRs and was able to go down all of the trails with ease as far as the width. Trails go from moderate logging roads to very aggressive rock. Trails are numbered, and labeled for the experience levels. I will be back many more times to this system in the coming years.